First day of school, new outdoors program in Manitou Springs

As we end our coverage of first days of school across the area, parents and students in Manitou Springs were excited to be heading back to school.

Manitou Springs Elementary School students were greeted at the door by their principal and a few other smiling faces, including Roxy the therapy dog.

“I just keep reminding him he’s top dog and to always be nice to other people,” Amber Little told us. Her son Tavin is starting fifth grade. It will be his last year at the elementary school.

Manitou Springs District 14 is also implementing a new program this year called “Connect 14”.

The goal is to encourage students to get out of the isolating world of technology and the internet, and instead meet more people face to face. They are taking students and even their families rock climbing, canoeing and on trail hikes to get them off their tablets and screens, and back outdoors.